What are the Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes?

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes :

Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are usually different from that of Type 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, there is a rapid onset of hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugars) due to complete ( or near complete) lack of insulin production by the islet cells of the pancreas. Often blood sugar level rises significantly, usually into the range of above 300 mg/dl. The rapid and significant rise in blood sugar level gives rise to classical symptoms of Type 1 diabetics, which are as follows:

Excessive thirst

Excessive eating

Weight loss despite excessive eating

Frequent urination of large volumes, especially waking up several times a night to urinate

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Sometimes, some acute illness such as a cold, flu or any other acute stress precipitates the onset of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes.

Although the above-mentioned symptoms are typically the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, these symptoms are not unique to type 1 diabetes by any means. These symptoms can develop in Type 2 diabetes as well.

What Is Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)is a life-threatening condition. A patient may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, mental confusion, drowsiness, and can even lapse into a coma. These patients usually have a fruity smell on their breath. If not treated promptly, these patients can die.

Patients with DKA are usually Type 1 diabetics, although it rarely can occur in Type 2 diabetics, as well.

Diseases Associated with Type 1 Diabetes

A person with type 1 diabetes is at a high risk of developing other autoimmune disorders. These include Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, asthma, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis. It all depends where the hyped-up immune cells will launch their attack. thyroid, stomach, lungs, skin or joints. Therefore, a person may suffer from the symptoms of any of these autoimmune disorders, in addition to the symptoms of type 1 diabetes.